CHICAGO – Terry Vaughn, a long-time FIFA and U.S. Soccer referee, has passed away, it was announced on Thursday.

He was 50.

Vaughn also served on the FIFA Panel, the the world’s highest level of officiating, from 2004-2012.

During his career from 1998-2012, Vaughn officiated nearly 250 matches, including the 2007 and 2009 Concacaf Gold Cups, the 2007 Under-20 World Cup, several FIFA World Cup qualifying matches and a number of Concacaf Champions League matches.

“Terry was a true ambassador for the referee community,” PRO general manager Mark Geiger said in a statement. “He worked every game with the utmost professionalism and integrity. He was a mentor to many referees in Iowa, the United States, North America and around the world for the way he conducted himself on and off the field.

“On a personal note, I learned so much from Terry on how to be a professional and an international referee. I worked hard to put into practice what I observed him doing and how he went about managing a match. He will surely be missed but his legacy and his influence on younger officials will continue to live on through those who learned so much from him.”

Rick Eddy, the U.S. Soccer director of referee development, echoed Geiger’s sentiments.

“Terry was an inspiration to all referees,” he said in a statement. “He became your friend for life after meeting him the first time. I never heard anyone make negative comments towards Terry. The way he handled himself on and off the field is to be commended.

“On a personal note, I was able to work with Terry in many games. He led by example. When you saw Terry doing extra work, it was easy to emulate him. He had an infectious smile that instilled confidence in others. Through his legacy, I hope younger officials will be influenced by the way he carried himself.”

Vaughn passed away from Huntington’s Disease, a hereditary disorder that causes the breakdown of nerve cells. A long-time member of the Professional Referee Organization, all PRO referees officiating matches in professional leagues this weekend will wear black armbands to honor Vaughn and blue armbands to commemorate Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month.

Vaughn also gave back to the referee community through his Terry Vaughn Referee Academy, which helped match officials realize their true potential by working to be the best referees they could be.

A native of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, Vaughn was an all-conference soccer player in high school and graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was inducted into the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame in 2017.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.